Eugene R. Tempel, Ph.D., was nominated to be the founding dean of Indiana University’s (IU) new School of Philanthropy, subject to the approval of the IU Board of Trustees at its next business meeting on Oct. 12.

If approved by the Trustees, Tempel will serve as founding dean for the next two years, leading planning and organization of the new school in collaboration with faculty, staff and university leaders. The university will undertake a national search for his successor as dean during the second year of Tempel’s tenure.

Tempel, 65, has served as president and CEO of the Indiana University Foundation for the past four years. He had previously chosen to leave that role on Oct. 1 to become a senior fellow at the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. Prior to heading the foundation, Tempel served for 11 years as executive director of the Center and has been integrally involved with it since its inception in 1987.

“Gene Tempel’s internationally recognized expertise in the field of philanthropic studies and his extensive leadership experience at IU – both at the Center on Philanthropy and as president of the IU Foundation for the past four years – make him the perfect choice as the founding dean of the IU School of Philanthropy,” said IU President Michael A. McRobbie. “We are fortunate that Gene has chosen to serve the university yet again, this time in this very important new role, and I am confident that his deep understanding of philanthropy, as well as his passion for IU, will help us to achieve the ambitious goals we have set for the new School of Philanthropy.”

The new school, which will be established on the campus of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), is believed to be the world’s first school dedicated to the study and teaching about nonprofits. It will build upon and expand the academic degree, research and training programs developed by the Center on Philanthropy.

“With the Indiana Commission for Higher Education and the IU Board of Trustees’ recent approvals of the School of Philanthropy, now is the time to go from excellence in philanthropic studies to having the preeminent program in the world,” said IUPUI Chancellor and Executive Vice President Charles R. Bantz. “Gene Tempel’s expertise as an early leader in philanthropic studies and his executive acumen make him uniquely positioned to guide development of a world-class School of Philanthropy that will attract and serve the best and brightest students and faculty from around the globe.”

Tempel has nearly three decades of philanthropy leadership, administration and fundraising experience. In addition to leading the Center on Philanthropy, he previously served as vice chancellor of external affairs at IUPUI, vice president of the Indiana University Foundation and director of external affairs for the IU College of Arts and Sciences. He is a professor of philanthropic studies and higher education and an adjunct professor of public administration.

A long-time leader of the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ ethics committee, expert advisor to Independent Sector’s Panel on the Nonprofit Sector, and former president of the Nonprofit Academic Centers Council, Tempel has received numerous honors, including the Council for Advancement and Support of Education’s James L. Fisher Award for Distinguished Service to Education. The NonProfit Times named him among the 50 most influential nonprofit sector leaders for 11 consecutive years.

“I am deeply honored to help create new opportunities for students who will become the next generation of philanthropy teachers and professionals and change the world for the better,” Tempel said. “The school will fulfill a key goal for IU. It is possible because of the dedication of countless faculty, staff and students, the visionary, enduring support of Lilly Endowment Inc. and the gifts of many funders and donors.”

The new school will encompass the Center on Philanthropy and all of its existing programs, including its research program, The Fund Raising School, the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving and the Women’s Philanthropy Institute. The school also will, Tempel said, seek to take full advantage of the university’s significant expertise and resources in the study and management of philanthropy and nonprofit organizations.

“As we begin to develop the School of Philanthropy, we will engage a range of current and new partners in the School of Liberal Arts, the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at IU Bloomington and IUPUI, and at other IU schools and campuses,” Tempel said.